Former El Paso City Rep Escapes Jail Time

UPDATE: 11:27: Judge sentences former El Paso City Rep to one year's probation, $4,000 fine and 100 hours of community service.

UPDATE: 11:12: Quintana's punishment has been decided as a $4000 fine and 365 days in jail but it's suspended so she'll be under community supervision.

UPDATE: 10:53 a.m. Defense Attorney Stephen Peters asks for leniency saying "She had the good grace with this case hanging over her head not to seek re-election."

The prosecution countered saying the punishment needs to be severe enough so the courts do not see her again.

The jury is deliberating for sentencing. The options include jail time, probation, and fines. Any combination of the three is possible.

UPDATE: 7:26pm: A jury has convicted former El Paso City Representative Rachel Quintana of forgery. The sentencing phase of the trial is set for 8:30 a.m. tomorrow.

EL PASO- It's Day 2 of trial for an ex-City Council member who faces forgery charges.

Rachel Quintana is being accused of forging her ex supervisor's signature on Federal Express letterhead in order to use non-revenue airline tickets.

Quintana claims that her supervisor, Albert Martinez, gave her permission to sign a document stating she was still employed by FedEx. Today, Martinez took the stand and when asked if he gave Quintana permission to sign any papers he said, "No I didn't."

Another FedEx employee took the stand claiming Quintana asked her to lie for her.
"She asked me ‘Who verifies employment? If someone calls to verify my employment will you say yes?’"
The prosecution has rested and defense will now begin.